Southern California Edison has taken another step forward in the long and costly process to decommission the shuttered San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

Edison has named AECOM and EnergySolution as the contractors that will tackle the technical work required to dismantle the plant, which may begin in 2018 after state regulators complete an environmental review.

The announcement comes nearly five years after the radiation leak that ultimately led to the plant's closure.

Edison says decommissioning is expected to take 20 years and cost $4.4 billion.

The cost includes dismantlement work and the on-site storage of nuclear waste.

David Victor, chairman of Edison’s Community Engagement Panel, which monitors the decommissioning of the plant, joins KPBS Midday Edition Wednesday to discuss what’s next in the decommissioning process and the push for a permanent nuclear waste storage site.